Update 5/29/24 – Travis Siferd Disciplinary Committee Announcement:
In a recent ruling, the World Axe Throwing League (WATL) Disciplinary Committee has found Travis Siferd, owner of Mirror Edge Customs, in violation of the WATL Code of Conduct. This decision comes after thorough evaluation of evidence suggesting Siferd’s intentional actions to defraud the axe throwing community.
As a consequence of his actions, Siferd has been banned from participating as a thrower in any WATL events, leagues, or tournaments until he makes full restitution. This means he will be unable to compete in any official WATL activities until the settlement is complete. Furthermore, even after the settlement is fulfilled, Siferd will be ineligible to earn Circuit Points for one year (four seasons) from the date of resolution.
The WATL Disciplinary Committee, composed of impartial community members, operates independently to ensure fairness and integrity within the league. They are responsible for assessing and ruling on violations of the WATL Code of Conduct based on community submissions. It is important to note that this decision regarding Siferd is distinct from WATL’s separate decision to ban Mirror Edge Customs as a Certified Craftsman.
This disciplinary action underscores WATL’s commitment to maintaining a fair and trustworthy environment for all participants. The league continues to encourage members to uphold the highest standards of conduct and integrity.
5/22/24 update: Custom Woosie Heads & Official Buying Guide
WATL has had a lot of throwers contact us asking if certain axes are legal to throw this past week. Through this contact, we have discovered that there are several custom axe heads from Woosie Axes that were made by a banned manufacturer. WATL felt it was in the best interest of the community to announce that the lines Moon Knight & King Shark from Woosie are not legal to be thrown in WATL events including league and tournaments.
WATL has been in touch with Woosie and determined that this oversight stemmed from a misunderstanding about banned manufacturers. Any heads, counterfeit, stock catalog, or custom-made by a banned manufacturer are not legal for WATL events. Any Woosie handles or axes on otherwise legal heads are still eligible to be used.
In light of this and recent events, we’ve also created an Official Buying Guide to help throwers looking to purchase a custom axe. We hope this will foster a healthy dialogue between throwers & makers during the purchasing process.
Thank you for your support and understanding as we work to protect the integrity of our league.
5/20/24 update: Important Announcement for All Throwers Who Purchased Axes from Mirror Edge Customs
After speaking with Mirror Edge Customs last week, we have reached a settlement agreement regarding their unauthorized use of WATL trademarks and the sale of counterfeit axes.
Here are the key points that we worked out with them that directly affect our throwers:
Refunds and Exchanges: If you purchased a counterfeit axe from Mirror Edge Customs, you are entitled to a full refund or an exchange for a genuine WATL axe directly through Mirror Edge. Mirror Edge will handle all refunds and exchanges. For exchanges, Mirror Edge will provide WATL with the name of the customer and a picture of the genuine WATL axe head placed on the axe handle. If you prefer an exchange directly with WATL, you are able to do so and you may contact WATL directly for an exchange through our replacement program.
Thank you for your support and understanding as we work to protect the integrity of our league.
5/15 update: WATL has been informed that some axe heads originating from Mirror Edge may have been sold to other craftsmen. Axes with axe heads from Mirror Edge may not be permitted at our events. We urge craftsmen who have purchased and resold these axe heads to contact WATL immediately. Any customers or throwers who have questions about their axe heads may contact WATL directly to obtain confirmation.
Dear WATL Community,
We want to inform you about an important update regarding equipment regulations for all World Axe Throwing League (WATL) sanctioned leagues and events.
Mirror Edge Customs Axes
Effective immediately, Mirror Edge Customs axes are no longer permitted at any WATL-sanctioned leagues or events. This decision comes after a thorough investigation into the unauthorized & fraudulent use of WATL trademarks by Mirror Edge Customs (“Mirror Edge”). Mirror Edge Customs has been modifying, selling, and marketing axes that falsely claim to be WATL products, fraudulently making claims, and misleading our community.
We are deeply concerned about the presence of fraudulent axes in the market, particularly those produced by Mirror Edge with unauthorized WATL branding. Our priority is to protect our community from fraud and deception, ensuring that all equipment used in WATL events meets our standards while ensuring the authenticity and integrity of products that bear our trademarks which are sold to our community. We are committed to taking all necessary measures to prevent the spread of these counterfeit products and to safeguard the integrity of our sport.
Mirror Edge Axes has been utilizing Hacha as their manufacturer for the fraudulently represented axes and has broken Section 1, iv, a, of the WATL rules which states:
Illegal Axes for Competition
- Any axe that infringes on design patents and trademarks held by any organization or is a direct copy or replica of other individuals’ or businesses’ intellectual property, unless special dispensation has been granted. Warriors, Hacha Manufacturing, and Urban Edge axes are not permitted for WATL® competition use.
Fraudulent Axes Investigation & Findings
Mario Zelaya, CEO of WATL, addressed the issue directly to Travis of Mirror Edge Customs, highlighting the gravity of the situation. “It has come to my attention that you and your company, Mirror Edge, have engaged in unauthorized use of WATL’s registered trademarks in your fraudulent marketing tactics that have deceived the public into believing that the products you sold were actually manufactured by WATL. This fraudulent activity includes engaging a manufacturer to create replica axes of our own axes and in addition, utilizing the WATL trademark in your marketing of these axes.”
WATL has confirmed ownership of USPTO Reg. No. 5435130 and USPTO Reg. No. 5628739, which protects our trademarks for “advertising services, namely, promoting axe throwing events; operating a website for coordinating axe throwing events and leagues; online retail store services featuring apparel and memorabilia related to axe throwing; business management services, namely, administration of axe throwing events and leagues” and “hand-operated tools, namely, axes.” These trademarks are governed by the USPTO and cover the entire United States.
“Your actions constitute clear cases of trademark infringement and unfair competition under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a), commonly known as the Lanham Act,” which prevents actions that cause “confusion, mistake, or deception among consumers by utilizing our Mark.”
Additionally, our investigation revealed that “your supplier/manufacturer, Hacha, admitted that they make these axes for you and specifically call you by your name, Mirror Edge.”
We have collected substantial evidence, including screenshots and a purchased axe, demonstrating the misuse of our trademark. “We purchased the very axe that Hacha indicated that they make for you. It is clear that the axes you proclaim are WATL axes, are in fact not manufactured by WATL.”
FREE King of Diamonds Axe Exchange Program
We understand that many members of our community may have purchased the King of Diamonds or a Queen of Hearts axe from Mirror Edge Customs, believing it to be a genuine WATL product. To ensure you have the proper equipment, we are offering an exchange program:
- Exchange Eligibility
- If you have purchased a fraudulent King of Diamonds or Queen of Hearts axe from Mirror Edge Customs, you are eligible to exchange it for a genuine WATL King of Diamonds axe for FREE.
- How to Exchange
- Submit Proof of Purchase: Send a copy of your receipt or proof of purchase along with pictures of your axe to our customer service team by filling out the the following form Hacha – Mirror Edge Review.
- Exchange Processing: Upon receipt and verification, of your proof of purchase, we will start the exchange process. This process will require you to mail in the fraudulent axe or axe head and in exchange WATL will send you a genuine WATL replacement axe. Shipping of the fraudulent axe head back to WATL will be covered by the sender and all shipping fees for the genuine axe will be covered by WATL.
- Please note: If your axe has a custom handle that you wish to keep, you will need to have it removed before shipping the axe head to us. The replacement axe you receive will include a standard handle.
- Contact Information
- For any questions or further assistance, please reach out to our support team at [email protected].
Please be aware that some axes sold by Mirror Edge bear the WATL branding. These axes are permitted for use in WATL-sanctioned events as they are genuine WATL products. If you have any doubts about your axe’s authenticity, please contact us directly at [email protected].
We are committed to maintaining the highest standards for our community and ensuring that all equipment used in WATL events is authentic and compliant with our regulations.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
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